Nepal - At the first ever Dolpa festival - which featured the Prime Minister of Nepal – the district of Dolpa expressed its gratitude to SNV Nepal as well as other organisations who have made significant contributions to the development of the region. The festival, which ran from September 8th – 12th was staged in a bid to promote the remote Himalayan region of Western Nepal through the development of local tourism.
The district of Dolpa thanked SNV Nepal for its continued support in the Karnali zone – dating back to the 1980s – with personal congratulations by Prime Minister Dahal who was the festival’s distinguished guest. In addition, the district singled out and commended SNV staff member John Hummel (Network Leader Pro-Poor Sustainable Tourism Asia), for his valued involvement in the stimulation of the tourism sector in Dolpa through numerous programs over the last decade. The future of the region was also handed a boost as the Prime Minister indicated that a “special package of programs for the development of not only Dolpa but the whole Karnali zone” was in preparation.
The Karnali zone – of which Dolpa is one of five districts – was in fact one of the first areas where SNV Nepal began its operations. Over a span of 25 years, SNV’s role has changed from an implementing organisation to a capacity strengthening partner. Previous SNV initiatives include the Karnali Local Development Programme whereby trails and bridges were constructed, and the District Partners Programme which focused on strengthening the capacity of local NGOs and community based organisations. Alternative programs such as the Marjan Rens Gompa Renovation Project successfully conserved seven gompas (monasteries), whilst the Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Programme assisted in the formulation of a tourism development plan for Dolpa.
SNV Nepal aims to solidify its presence in the region for years to come, most notably with its support for the Great Himalayan Trail Development Program which will feature a trekking route stretching from Mt. Kanchenjunga in Eastern Nepal to Mt. Kailash in Tibet, just west of Karnali
“We felicitate the one and only organization that has continued to help Dolpa over a decade…and we hope for continued support from SNV Nepal in tourism development and other activities that will make profound and positive changes in the lives of the people of Dolpa.”
- Dolpa Festival Organising Committee